Savant SCD 2129
Bill O'Connell
and The Latin Jazz All-Stars
Zócalo
$13.00
Order
For years the go-to pianist and arranger for such artists as Mongo Santamaria, Dave Valentin, Gato Barbieri, the Fort Apache Band and others, Bill O'Connell has perhaps more than any other pianist developed a true melding of Latin and Jazz music. His own playing — from its robustious chordal comping to its exuberant and sometimes knotty solos — transcends categorization and combines rhythmic complexities with glittering single note runs in a sort of Bud Powell-meets-Chick-Corea sound. With Latin-tinged trombone great Conrad Herwig, O'Connell provides a thoughtful program of originals and a few re-imagined standards including an amazing rendition of Victor Feldman's "Joshua" and a surprising "Surrey with the Fringe on Top." Saxophonist Steve Slagle, percussion legend Richie Flores and his regular rhythm section make Bill O'Connell's Zócalo a joyous romp filled with energy and high spirits from a powerful voice in Latin Jazz.
BILL O'CONNELL, piano & arrangements
THE LATIN JAZZ ALL-STARS – Conrad Herwig, trombone • Steve Slagle, soprano & alto saxophone • Luques Curtis, bass • Adam Cruz, drums • Richie Flores, percussion
TRACKS: Big Sur • Joshua • Zócalo • For All We Know • Nothing But the Truth • 21st Century Blues • The Surrey With the Fringe on Top • Eric's Song • One Note Mambo
